There are times when it’s wise to question one’s own sanity. About a decade ago, as a rookie trustee on the board of charity The Scientific Exploration Society, run by my friend explorer Colonel John Blashford-Snell, I volunteered to run a marathon.

Running to catch up and all for chairty

Let me explain. A few places for the London marathon had been offered to the charity late in the day but there were few takers. Blashford-Snell looked up and down the table with a furrowed brow and asked if anyone felt up to the challenge. Being the new girl and totally unaware of what was entailed when committing to run 42 kilometres all at once, I put my hand up. The seasoned male players around me smirked behind their hands while I ambled off home to tell my husband the good news. He didn’t smile. In fact he told me I was a goon. Had I any idea… Read more